Indian Ocean is the new strategic and economic centre of gravity: Admiral Dhowan

• The Indian Navy bears a profound responsibility in protecting our maritime interests and maintaining stability across this vital oceanic domain.

• Maritime Security Takes Centre Stage as Experts Outline India’s Strategic Roadmap Amid Regional Tensions

New Delhi, May 24. As geopolitical dynamics in the Indian subcontinent undergo rapid transformation, particularly amid Indo-Pak conflicts, senior defense and policy experts on Friday called for a robust maritime security framework to address both traditional and non-traditional threats in the Indian Ocean Region.

“The Indian Ocean is the new strategic and economic centre of gravity,” asserted Admiral R.K. Dhowan, PVSM, AVSM, YSM (Retd), former Chief of Naval Staff, Indian Navy, “Today, escalating threats in the region, from maritime terrorism and illegal, unregulated fishing to evolving non-traditional challenges, demand comprehensive, multi-dimensional responses.”

Admiral Dhowan was speaking at an event on the “MAHASAGAR (Mutual and Holistic Advancement for Security and Growth Across Regions) Initiative”, organised by the independent think tank Chintan Research Foundation, in New Delhi.

Emphasizing the Navy’s critical role, he added, “The Indian Navy bears a profound responsibility in protecting our maritime interests and maintaining stability across this vital oceanic domain.”

Admiral Dhowan outlined four critical strategic imperatives for the region, namely, enhanced naval-to-naval cooperation, real-time information sharing for maritime domain awareness, improved connectivity and infrastructure corridors to support strategic mobility, and continued investment in naval capabilities—with over 60 warships under construction, reflecting India’s long-term maritime preparedness.

On the security outlook following recent Indo- Pak conflicts, Admiral Dhowan emphasized India’s comprehensive preparedness,“Armed forces alone don’t go to war — nations do. What we witnessed recently demonstrated India’s whole-of-nation response capability, and we remain fully prepared to defend our sovereignty when required.”

The Admiral specifically hailed Operation Sindoor as demonstrating India’s strategic approach.

Addressing the event, Shishir Priyadarshi, President, Chintan Research Foundation, highlighted the growing importance of the maritime sector in the future growth strategies of nations.

“We should focus on peace and stability in the Indian Ocean, because this is what will lead to economic and sustained growth. And that is what the ‘G’ in MAHASAGAR stands for – sustained and holistic growth, just as the ‘R’ stands for the region, reminding us of the shared responsibility we hold across the Indian Ocean and the Global South,” said Priyadarshi, “The Indian Navy provides a very strong deterrent which is an extreme important aspect of ensuring peace.”

The Admiral Dhowanalso highlighted Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s strategic leadership, directly connecting it to the transformative potential of the MAHASAGAR Initiative. Turning to environmental security, he championed extending India’s domestic cleanliness revolution to its maritime domain.His call for ‘Swachh Sagar’ (Clean Seas) framed ocean protection as both an ecological and security imperative. “We must expand the Swachh Bharat spirit to our waters — creating cleaner, safer oceans for future generations cannot wait. The Indian Ocean suffers tremendously from reckless dumping, demanding urgent collective action against marine pollution, plastic waste, and climate impacts.”Admiral Dhowan asserted.

The discussions positioned MAHASAGAR as India’s comprehensive framework to address contemporary maritime challenges, emphasizing enhanced naval cooperation, sustainable development, blue economy and strategic partnerships across the Global South. Experts highlighted India’s growing role in shaping a rules-based maritime order to strengthen partnerships across Africa, ASEAN, and the Pacific and to integrate security with sustainable development while addressing complex security dynamics, including China’s expanding presence and evolving regional threats.

About CRF:

Chintan Research Foundation (CRF) is an independent think tank dedicated to shaping policy through rigorous research and thought leadership. With a strong focus on fostering collaboration between policymakers and industry, CRF integrates practical insights into its research and advocacy efforts. It conducts comprehensive research to support informed decision making and engages with stakeholders through discussions, events, and publications.

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